Mulberry Bayswater - views and tips

[chocopuffs]

I’m thinking of buying a Mulberry Bayswater as a work/light travel (hand luggage), shove everything in bag. I’ve always admired them and I have a Bayswater tote but I’m still hankering after a Bayswater. What’s put me off in the past is the strap length and people complaining about the weight. It makes me wonder if I’d use it enough, but I think I’d use it as a travel bag and for shoving the DC’s things in. It strikes me as the kind of bag that looks better with a bit of wear.

I’m thinking of buying preloved as they seem better value and there are some examples in pretty good condition, plus I prefer the old style suede lining to the newer microfibre (which I know is lighter, I just don’t like it). I’ve been looking at black but I’m also wondering about going for something light.

I’d love any thoughts on the Bayswater in general as an ‘everything’ bag, where to buy preloved (and where to avoid), and any tips on colours to go for (is light a no go?!).

thanks!

For a travel bag no! I adore mine but it’s strictly a car to office bag as it’s extreme heavy when fully loaded so to speak. I can fit loads in and it’s over 10yrs old and like you I think it looks better with age. I did use it as a nappy bag when my son was little but that was only if we were going to a restaurant or somewhere and I only wanted a nice bag with me rather than a changing bag. I’ve a classic black mix croc and I adore it. Next on my list is a navy blue.

It’s a beautiful bag but it won’t fit an iPad or small laptop easily. I am pointing this out as that matter if it’s a work bag.
For these you need the Bayswater 9-5 or a tote.
I have more than one Bayswater and don’t find heavy at all.

I had one in oak and used it daily for years. I loved it. It ended up quite knackered looking so I sold it back to Mulberry and used the credit towards a Mulberry tote. I do love the tote, but I don’t use it much as I’m not really a bag person these days.

Where are you buying one as I want to sell mine but don’t know where to sell it; I don’t want to be scammed.

I love it and used it for work but I now wfh and don’t use it at all.

Oh that’s interesting about the laptop @NOTANUM - I use a SurfacePro tablet thing for work so I assumed it would fit!

@PrimaniTuI’m not sure yet, I don’t really like the current options on NaughtiPigeons which has been recommended on here. I’m a bit wary of Vinted and eBay and mulberry preloved are almost as expensive as buying new! What colour is yours?

@MakeMineAMilkyTeainteresting! I’ve heard they’re heavy but have also seen lots of people saying they use them as a hand luggage bag.

I have an old oak leather one and I haven’t used it for years so following this thread for recommendations on where to sell it. It’s so heavy that’s it’s just not practical for me. You can’t shove it under your arm and need to carry it in your hand which I hate. I don’t think it would work as a travel bag as you’d need to sit it down or balance it on the end of your arm to open the flap each time you wanted in and out of it. I think a tote bag looks a bit more current and stylish to be honest.

@sociableintrovert123hmm this is what I’m a bit worried about. I like the idea of one but not sure I’d use it if it’s not that practical….

I used to have one before selling it on vestaire. It was VERY heavy.

The early ones made in Darwin leather are beautiful but they are the ones which are heaviest. I had one made in natural vegetable tanned leather and wouldn’t say it was heavier than any other bag of its size. I could certainly fit my iPad and more into it. The side straps allow you to expand the bag - it will carry a lot. The inside of mine was the suede reverse of the leather - a beautiful bag which I sometimes wish I hadn’t sold on.

it’s too heavy even empty

I fit my MacBook in mine but it is heavy and whilst I can put it over my shoulder it’s not comfortable.

I sold my Mulberry bags on eBay without any problems but that was years ago so it may be different now.

My Bayswater definitely does fit an iPad. That being said, it is incredibly heavy and I wouldn’t choose to use it as a travel bag.

I’ve sold Mulberry bags on EBay recently. When the bag is sold it automatically goes to an authenticator. They assess the bag and if it’s genuine they forward it on to the buyer. It’s a good system as it ensures that fakes are weeded out and returned to the seller.

@chocopuffsmine is red. I love the colour and it really brightens up an outfit.

It’s this one although this is not my bag.

I sold mine on one of the several Facebook pages for Mulberry pre loved. It was too heavy. You will get an iPad in it but I wouldn’t have said it’s big enough for a travel bag, well certainly not with the crap I lug around. It makes it very heavy. As someone above said, it was definitely a car, work, car bag for me.

I have a black one that I’ve had for 18 or so years, it’s unlined, just the reverse of the leather. I don’t use as much now as I find the lack of being able to put over my shoulder annoying and I walk/train to work. I still like it and it wore really well. If I drove to work I’d probably still use it more frequently. It isn’t big enough for me to use on a plane though. But I do like carrying more and prefer bags with pockets for travel.

@PrimaniTuthat’s a lovely colour! The one in the pic is one of the newer style Bayswaters I believe with the micro fibre lining and no padlock by the looks of it.

Yes that’s right @chocopuffsit’s not the traditional style one.

I have a grey one for work, I can fit my laptop in and I bought a bag insert organiser off vinted (new) but saved 50 quid. It is heavy but great for work.

I love how it looks, I wanted it to be a perfect travel bag for carry on but it is a little too heavy for that, particularly since I tried to take a tablet and a bunch of kid stuff (didn’t want a diaper bag). I still use it for daytime but it didn’t quite work

I bought one but found it totally impractical. I travel around London on public most days and a bag that needs two hands to open and close it is not compatible with constantly having to take my Oyster card in and out. I now have the Bayswater tote in several colours and it's much more convenient.

DD was delighted to receive the unwanted Bayswater. She has since bought the 9-5 for days when she needs to carry her laptop.